StopECG is implacably opposed to all companies that mail documents that they claim to be legally binding contracts where the document is formulated in such a way as to make it possible that people will sign it in error.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Misleading forms alert: The UK Internet Register

Today I started getting emails about a new form that was arriving at UK companies via Fax, those who examined it felt it was misleading and so sent me copies, I am always happy to see forms and contracts that you get, please email them!

The UK Internet Register is new, however it is simply a variation on a form that has been used in many countries, the layout of the form ensures that the cost is hard to spot. Like so many other forms, companies have noticed that their details are inaccurate, drawing them away from the small print and into the process of correcting their data.

What is on offer is an inter-professional directory that appears to be published online only and where signing will cost you £639 Per Annum for a minimum of 3 years, interestingly you are already fully listed if get sent the form, all you gain by signing is 3 keywords in their search engine. I checked their website on Alexia and the traffic is currently so low that it cannot be evaluated. Looks like those 3 keywords might not be a very good buy at £213 each!

The form arrives by fax with a freephone faxback number of 080 82 38 02 31. I checked this number on on ICSTIS. They note that they do not regulate freephone numbers, but they do tell you that this number is provided by MCI WorldCom Ltd.

If you receive a form and consider it misleading you may wish to contact MCI WorldCom Ltd. and voice your concerns about the usage of this freephone number

So is The UK Internet Register really new? Well a closer examination reveals it is actually sent by a company well known to stopECGDAD Deutscher Adressdienst GmbH

This company has indulged for years in the mailing of misleading contracts, like so many other guides StopECG features, DAD will claim that the forms they send are clear, yet like the other guides DAD fail to amend the forms and fully remove the ambiguities their 'customers' complain of. Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger exposed links between DAD and other Ludenbach guides, it appears likely that they are part of his empire. You will notice that director Inga Kruskop has a long association with Lüdenbach

In the dreaded small print a website is noted where the directory can be foundhttp://www.uk-internet-register.com/

A whois confirms that this domain is owned by DAD and was only set up in January this year, a reverse DNS on the server shows it hosts other very similar domains such as:

Received one today in the mail from "American Internet Register." It looks identical to the UK version, except uses an American flag in color on the upper left. Fax no. 1-800-748-7114, web address, www.american-internet-register.com. Price, $1,287USD. Yikes, steep!

Congratulations on exposing this repeat ofEuroCity Guide. Having gone through the mill fighting them, I wasamazed to be contacted on the phone by a lady whoasked if I wanted to repeat my entry and, whenasked, was told it wouldcost £139 and no mention of the 3-year contract.BEWARE 1

I received a UK version last week. Had the old address on it, I already filled in new deatils when I got suspicious. After testing the faxnumber I found out it didn't exsist (anymore?). Thanks for publishing this on your blog.

Unfortuantely I have been completelty taken in by the letter and I signed back in May. As soon as I got the invoice I realised I had beed misled and immediately wrote back cancelling the contract but today have another letter from them stating they will not cancel and I must pay. I wish I had seen this site before! Will seek legal advice and write to relavant parties as suggested on this site. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. L. Richards

hi, just been caught by this scam.I got my invoice this morning.It is misleading when i received the initial form I thought i was updating details.Anyway I have now received invoiceany ideas how i should deal with this by the way this is supposedly a three year contractbefore i saw this blog I sent an e-mail to info@deutscher-adressdienst.dewhich is on the bottom of there invoice it returned server not foundHelp!!!!Andrew

They're at it again. I received one this week as American Internet Register, but the logo is now a series of 7 blue arched lines overlapping to represent a world(?). Same 1-800-748-7114 fax line (reverse lookup on switchboard only shows Intelius having info (and they want $ to get it).DAD is still selling you whatever their scam is (nothing I assume) for 1287 US $ -- I can't believe anyone would be foolish enough to sign and respond, but I guess they count on a few bozos to unwittingly respond.

I receieved one in the mail today for the "american internet register". But there was no American flag. The logo looked like curved lines going both horizontal and vertical; like a vague and abstract outline of a globe. Definitely DO NOT SIGN!

This scammy document is being sent to many pubs, mine included. We get many invitations to publicise our premises, or just update details; and it would be very easy to "sign and send" with reading the small print.A friend of mine was caught out by a version of this and was hounded for about 2 years when he (reasonably) refused to pay.

I signed the document, just received an invoice for £639. Someone from there company phoned me and asked if we would like to appear on the UK internet register. If so just sign the fax document and send it straight back, no mention of the £639.

THESE PEOPLE ARE RIP OFF MERCHANTS!!!!!!!!!!CURRENTLY CONTACTING WATCHDOG AND LEGAL ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I fell for this scam from the European City Guide a couple of years ago. Having recieved several invoices as well as letters form the debt collecting department I have simply refused to pay.I have sent them a letter explaining that I was conned into signing the form and that they will not recieve a penny from me or my company. To date they have done nothing that would suggest they are actively seeking payment. I believe they rely on Bullying tactics to scare people into paying. If, like me, you just don't pay they soon leave you alone.I hope this is of some help.

last year fell for this scam and I actually paid the first year and wrote to them saying I want to cancel I have now received another letter requesting payment for this year I have called them to say I won't pay and now I have received a letter saying they will charge me interest if I don't pay. I really don't want to pay the scamming sod's I need advice please help!!

I have an elderly relative in this position who was pressurised into paying the first year fee and is now being chased for years 2 and 3. I would expect EU Human Rights legislation to provide him with some protection against harrassment has anyone looked into this

I have the same problem, only difference is the country: Belgium. Thank you for your website. I was about to settle the case with only 1 year payment, but now i feel like not paying at all!Let us join together to fight misleading scam ads!

Just received one in the Netherlands by regular mail. Form stated in Dutch and using the Dutch flag in the upper left corner. Costs are EUR 997. Name of the firm is "Industrie en Handel 2009", Handels informatieregister (Industry and Trade 2009, Trade information register)